Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-24
A Visit to the County Infirmary.
Communicated,
EDITOR BELMONT CHRONICLE:

n tlsil W INC OOunty AnnF mary.
Communicated.
EDITOR BELMONT CHRONICLE:
SR-Having read in the Gazette several
columns of letter-press, showing how oul
county officials divert the public funds from
their legitimate use, and cover them in through
dishonest practices to their own private benefit
and as business brought me out in the neigh
hood of the County Infrmsry, determined tC
visit that institution, thinking that if that mis-
management that crops out SO lucidly from tht
fertile brain of your contemporary was to bt
found in such profusiotein Belmont county,
A heart that is humble might hope for it here
In approaching the Infrmary from either the
National road or the Flushing pike, one is
favorably impressed with the tidy, thrifty ap-
pearance of the county farm; the logs, brush,
and other debris that indicates the careles:
manager, are here conspicuous for their alb
sence." The fences, though seeming in good
order, are in places somewhat shaky, and with &
grant of small appropriation from the board
might be advantageously attended to now, be.
fore the active operations of spring blowing anG
planting commences, especially as there are
here some of those Airds of passage" who are
apt to take fight when the fine spring weather
arrives.
The great model Darn, with its Improvements
the well filled corn cribs, the well kept stock
the general adaptation of means to desired
ends, admonishes me that if am to discover
this mares nest hinted at in the Gazette,
must look for it elsewhere; therefore wendeC
my way to the infrmary building.
In a crowd of $50 persons of both sexes anc
/ all ages and conditions, emanating principally
from the "mudsills" of society, l expected tC
hear considerable racket; l was mistaken. The
approach to the house is through beautifully
kept lawn, artistically divided by several curved
carriage drives, and shaded by the foliage o.
the evergreen pines and its relatives of the
confer family, varied by the graceful litheness
of Normandy poplar. l pass by fountain anC
ascend the massive steps of the spacious porticC
and grasp a bell pull which responds with {
clear, metallic ring. This brings to the door q
gentleman in whose calm demeaner and affablt
"well, sir, what can l do for you," l recognize
the superintendent, Mr.. John Sidebottom.
intimate to him that wish to look through thC
institution. Cali right, sir; come in and take
. chair and excuse me few minutes. l see {
buggy coming in, probably with a candidate
for admission" Here l had an opportunity t.
witness the admission of a person, whom for
tune frowned on, to partake of this magnifceH
charity. The new arrival was not questioned
whether he was the victim of the ''bloateC
bondholder, soulless corporation" or q sa
loon-it was sufficient that his papers wert
correct. He was escorted to the hospital
placed before glowing fire, and supplied will
a nice, warm dinner and hot coffee. He Looked
cheerful already. "My friend" said the super
intendent, 81 believe good wash would maxi
you feel better. Come, and l will show you th'
wash-house." The humorous twinkle abou
| the superintendent's eye induced me to follow
| the party to the wash-room. The inmate" pu
| off his hat and coat. "Pull off your vest an(
shoes and socks, my friend was the milo
command. "Oh, what's the use of crammine
that shirt collar down your neck! Off with it
man. Now slip out of your" Well, he slip
ped out of them, and found himself clothed il
the garb which Adam wore on making his raiC
on the apple-tree. He stood beside huge batl
half filled with tepid water The superintendent
stood between him and the door; an assistan
armed with bar! (of Shultz's Star soap); an
other with sponge. He made the plunge, anC
in few minutes came out ''as clean as a new
pin," to find all his clothes spirited away to the
into. Not a vestige of his own clothes is an in
mate allowed to wear on his entrance until they
pass through the laundry. This precaution, tC
start with, insures absolute cleanliness sfter.
wards He was led back to his room and inter.
viewed by the doctor, while the superintendent
invited me to walk through the institution.
We entered the basement, which is cock
tensive with the building; a central hall, and
-ee-hsside row of store-rooms, workshops
ETC.; spacious, airy, and well filed with the
necessary provender to supply the $50 inmates
of the institution. The kitchens, the dining
rooms, the sleeping apartments, the sewing
rooms, the nursery, the dry goods store-room,
the guests room, and even his own room, where
had the pleasure Of making my obesance to
Mrs. Sidebottom, the lady matron of the insti-
tuition, were all visited, after which we finally
reached the office, where the gentleman asked
me to amuse myself by looking over the books
of the Office. / thanked him and said l would
leave accounts and statistics to those who
loved to "figger." Two things l have learned
however, from glance at these books: First,
that they are neatly and correctly kept; second
that Mr.. Sidebottom is not an offensive par
tisan." He deals with any person "without
distinction of race, color, or previous condition
of servitude," where he can best serve the in
terests of Belmont county. And here let me
say en- PEASANT, that had no previous ac-
quaintance with Mr.. S. Ny visit was sudden,
as it was unexpected; therefore, 1 must have
found the place in its everyday condition. Now if
deputation of the associated charities had sent
word that they would be here in fortnight's
time, to inspect this institution, 1 do not see
where an improvement could be made to meet
their scrutiny. From cellar to garret it is per-
fection of order, cleanliness, and model house
keeping. How this Herculean task is per-
formed is something no fellow can find out. -
So long as the board of directors may avail
themselves of the effective services of Mr.. and
Mrs. John Sidebottom as superintendent and
matron of the institution, it is to be hoped
that they will give the, taxpayers of Belmont
county the benefit of their superb executive
ability. PAUL PRv.